Friday, October 29, 2010

So I have been working hard at my day job (which is at home in my basement!) for weeks on end. With the holiday's coming and a new baby in the family, I needed to start crafting. I've been relentless...knitting, sewing, making cute little acorn necklaces (pics coming soon) and yesterday felting! I didn't really intend to do any felting, but when a friend wanted to get together and craft, this is what she suggested. I LOVE IT! It's like sculpting with wool!

It involves using a variety of felting needles, wool batting and a sponge like block?!, all of which I purchased cheaply at Gossamer's in SE Portland.

I spent the whole day poking needles into wool to make this little birdie. I used plain wool batting to make the body and then covered it in a really subtle rose dyed wool. She's so cute and the process is super easy! The only thing I probably would do different next time is to start with the dyed wool instead of using the wool batting. I loved the little bird without the color on it, but the process to add color seemed a little redundant. It's probably cheaper though to use the batting, I don't know.
Anyway, now I want to make more! Oh the possibilities...

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

I need some things to hang from my ceiling in the studio. I was inspired by a window display at Anthropologie awhile back. Started taking my daughters old teen magaizines to make some paper decorations. Here's a start!

Monday, October 25, 2010

I spent the weekend sewing! I have a new grand daughter coming to world soon and wanted to make her something special, so I attempted probably something a little over my head, but what the hell! We have this great fabric store in my neighborhood called Bolt ( they have a nice blog too). They have such an impressive selection of modern fabrics and notions and we are so lucky to have them just up the block.

The pattern for the backing of my quilt was even made by a local artist and its called, "Larualhurst Street" after one of the neighborhoods in Portland. I wish I knew her name....

Anyway, I think I did a pretty good job, until I got to the satin trim...ugh! That was difficult sewing for me, it kept bunching and the sew line didn't come out particularly straight! ha ha. I am such a perfectionist I tried at least 9 times, that means ripping seams undone each time! Finally my husband convinced me that this was sewn from my heart and homemade, and my first attempt and that the baby wouldn't notice. So I let go and mended where needed and called it quits...for today. I still need to embroider the top, some how...it scares me after it's all done to do, what if I really screw it up?!

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Knitting has become one of my all time favorite things to do, it relieves my stress and helps me focus...which I need so often! The wonderful knitter behind the shop Awkward does some beautiful work. I've been really inspired by everything in there this morning. Fall makes me want to have a cuppa and knit all day and I love these warm tones she's using. The first thing that drew me in was this fun crocheted octopus, and then I discovered so much more. Nice.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

I'm loving the illustration style of Jolby and friends! So whimsical and sweet! When I went to check them out, I discovered Kickstarter, a new way to fund creative ideas and ambitious endeavors. I'm happy to say, that Jolby is close to reaching their goal to raise money to promote their new children book, "The King's 6th Finger."

It looks like it's going to be wonderful and I can't wait to get my copy! Good luck boys!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

I got an opportunity to do some more paper craft work for DreamWorks and the new movie Megamind, coming out in Nov. You can download them all for free from their site. All the crafts I did have the gray background,including: 3d characters, book marks, stationary, Halloween decorations, games, and door hangers. A party kit, trading cards and 3D Minion will be up soon. I had a blast creating these and can't wait to see the movie. Enjoy!

For London Fashion week, Mulberry went with a floral theme with dozens of giant neon roses decorating the space, alongside a life-size paper dolls; the jumbo version of their paper doll invitation.
I love the drawings by Natasha Law and the awesome glowbright pink they used to make the invitations! You can dress up and print the paper doll over at Guardian.

Monday, October 18, 2010

My husband is a college student and a manly man. Lately he has been taking some of my little bags and carrying his things in them, he's even mentioned, "It's not a bag it's a satchel right?" I think he's softening up in his older age :) I've been dropping hints that maybe he does need his own little satchel instead of grabbing mine and then asking me to hold it when we're out. So now I'm on the hunt for his very own. I'm loving these up-cycled bags by Wooley Bison. Handmade from recycled suit jackets, as well as both new and vintage wools, and lined with cotton and other found/rescued materials. They are just awesome and I think he will still look manly with one of these over his shoulder!